Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALGUZQEN’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALGUZQEN’, particularly characterized by large, white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, concave flower shape in lateral view, flower longevity on the plant of about 19 weeks, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALGUZQEN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALGUZQEN’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with numerous large, white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALGUZQEN’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in July 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3469’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-1988’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in May 2013. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2014 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 16, 2019 (Application no. 2019/0984), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALGUZQEN’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALGUZQEN’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Large, white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is concave; and     -   3) Flower longevity on the plant is about 19 weeks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in June 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHALGUZQEN’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALGUZQEN’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALGUZQEN’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALGUZQEN’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in June 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALGUZQEN’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3469’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-1988’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something between RHS 190B             and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (RHS 145C) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24             weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 70.0 cm to 75.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 34.0 cm to 37.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 19.0 cm             to 21.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm to 9.0 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.             Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the             horizontal position): Between 15 degrees and 35 degrees.             Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower             surface: RHS 146B. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):             Smooth. Thickness: 2.3 mm to 2.6 mm. Variegation: Absent.             Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper             surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—8 to 10.         -   Length.—70.0 cm to 75.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.6 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Green (something in between RHS 146A and 146B).         -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 250.0 mm to             290.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 88.0 mm to 93.0 mm. Diameter: 107.0 mm to             112.0 mm. Depth of lip: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 18 to 20 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Concave.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm.             Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color: Light             yellow-green (something in between RHS 145B and 145C).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Emarginated asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length             (from base to tip): 50.0 mm to 53.0 mm. Width: 66.0 mm to             68.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward             the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic             color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower             surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color:             Absent. Number of spots and stripes on the petals (upper             surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the petals             (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the             petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper             surface): Not applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 52.0 mm to             54.0 mm. Width: 35.0 mm to 37.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (something in             between RHS 145C and 145D). Number of spots and stripes on             the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and             stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Not             applicable. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not             applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 50.0 mm to             52.0 mm. Width: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145D)             at the base. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Light yellow-green (something in between RHS             145C and 145D). Number of spots and stripes on the lateral             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on             the lateral sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density             of netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None.             Color of the netting (upper surface): None.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 24.0             mm to 26.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C) with             greenish-yellow tips (RHS 3B). Pubescence on the lip:             Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Slightly twisted and undulated. Length: 22.0 mm to             24.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             White (RHS NN155C); greenish-yellow (RHS 6B) on one side             toward the margin. Lower surface: White (RHS NN155C);             greenish-yellow (something in between RHS 6B and 6C) on one             side toward the margin. Number of spots and stripes on the             lateral lobe: Few. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral             lobe: RHS 183C. Density of netting of the lateral lobe:             None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 23.0             mm to 25.0 mm. Width: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Reddish-brown margin (RHS 175A) at the base;             greenish-yellow base (RHS 151C); white (RHS NN155C) toward             whiskers. Lower surface: Reddish-brown margin (RHS 175A) at             the base; greenish-yellow wings (RHS 151D); white (RHS             NN155C) toward whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the             apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical             lobe: Not applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe:             None. Color of the netting: Not applicable. Bump and ridge:             Absent.         -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.             Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:             Greenish-yellow (RHS 6A); white (RHS NN155C) on sides;             dotted (RHS 175A). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm to             6.5 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 2.5 mm to 2.8             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 37.0 mm to 39.0 mm. Diameter: 2.9 mm to             3.1 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Light yellow-green (RHS             145B) and lighter yellow-green (RHS 145C to 145D) toward the             flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALGUZQEN’ differs from female parent plant ‘01-3469’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes, whereas ‘01-3469’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has larger flowers than ‘01-3469’.

‘PHALGUZQEN’ differs from male parent plant ‘01-1988’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has strong curvature of the lateral lobe, whereas ‘01-1988’ has medium curvature of the lateral lobe. Additionally, ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has smaller flowers than ‘01-1988’.

‘PHALGUZQEN’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALFOWIC’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,245) and ‘PHALFUBNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,395). ‘PHALGUZQEN’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFOWIC’ in that ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes and white whiskers with greenish-yellow tips, whereas ‘PHALFOWIC’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes and greenish-yellow whiskers. Additionally, ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has larger flowers than ‘PHALFOWIC’.

‘PHALGUZQEN’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUBNE’ in that ‘PHALGUZQEN’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes and emarginated petal apexes, whereas ‘PHALFUBNE’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes and rounded petal apexes. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGUZQEN’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 